Experimental, sensual and political, D’Angelo radically redrew the boundaries of soul music

Experimental, sensual and political, D’Angelo radically redrew the boundaries of soul music

The late singer may have suffered from setbacks and only released three studio albums, but the range he displayed in this perfect catalogue was astonishing D’Angelo, Grammy-winning neo-soul pioneer, dies aged 51 D’Angelo – a life in pictures In the mid-90s, the Roots ’ drummer Questlove was approached to work on the first album by a new soul singer. He turned the offer down out of hand: “I was like, ehhh, soul singers in the 90s – whatever,” he later remembered. “I’m not doing this. Nothing about soul singing had moved me, from any 90s offering, the same way it did with Otis Redding, Stevie Wonder, Lou Rawls.” A year later, with D’Angelo’s debut album Brown Sugar on the shelves, Questlove had radically reconsidered his opinion: when he spotted the singer in the audience at a show the Roots were playing, he “thwarted and threw off the entire show” by suddenly playing “an obscure Prince drum roll” in a (successful) attempt to attract his attention. “The only person that mattered to me that night in the room was D’Angelo ,” he admitted. Continue reading...

Vitamix 5200 review: it’s a legend for a reason

Vitamix 5200 review: it’s a legend for a reason

The blender beloved by chefs and smoothie shops has all the power you need, and none of the frills you don’t Sign up for the Filter US newsletter, your weekly guide to buying fewer, better things When I reviewed nearly a dozen models to find the best blenders for The Filter, I was already quite familiar with one of the brands I was testing: Vitamix. My parents bought me a refurbished Vitamix Turbo Blend 4500 in 2010, and I’ve used it to make smoothies, pesto, and other kitchen concoctions ever since. Vitamix is the founding father of the premium blender category, known for its impressive warranties, extensive accolades, and steep prices, especially on the more high-tech models. Introduced in 2007, the Vitamix 5200 is considered its “legacy” model, still holding strong nearly two decades later despite newer models like the digital Ascent X line popping up around it. At $500, the Vitamix 5200 is still a daunting investment, but if you’re a home cook looking to take your smoothies, soups, and sauces to the next level, it’s well worth it. Here’s why. Continue reading...